NeNe Leakes defends ‘New Normal’

“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star NeNe Leakes is used to critics’ negative opinions about her reality show, and she’s experiencing more of the same with her new sitcom, “The New Normal.”

One Million Moms, a group whose “goal is to stop the exploitation of children, especially by the entertainment media,” according to its site, has launched a campaign against the upcoming NBC series.

“I was surprised when I saw it. People were tweeting it to me, but I was shocked. I do understand that the ‘New Normal’ may not be for everyone, and that’s okay, too. We just want to appeal to the ones that want us to appeal to them,” NeNe told “Access Hollywood.”

The series focuses on a gay couple who hires a surrogate to carry a child.

“NBC is using public airwaves to continue to subject families to the decay of morals and values, and the sanctity of marriage in attempting to redefine marriage. These things are harmful to our society, and this program is damaging to our culture,” reads the site.

NeNe, who plays “outspoken” and “sassy” Rocky on the show, understands that some may not be comfortable with the subject matter, but she reasoned that “The New Normal” is only exposing viewers to an increasingly more common lifestyle.

“In society today, you see gay couples together all the time, and there are people who still do not accept it. I accept it; I actually like it. I believe that you should live your life and that’s what ‘The New Normal’ is all about. It’s about embracing who you are. It’s not about tradition,” said NeNe, who is raising her boys to be tolerant of others.

“My boys, they really get the whole gay thing,” she said. “We teach our kids just to love everyone and give everybody a chance.”

Watch more of NeNe’s interview below.

See photos of NeNe with Jennifer Williams, Cynthia Bailey and more of her celebrity friends.